Difference between revisions of "The Usual"
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| − | '''The usual''' is the means of exchange by which one | + | '''The usual''' is the means of exchange by which one acquires [[fanzines]] in lieu of [[Sticky Quarters (fanspeak)|sticky quarters]] or other forms of [[money|filthy lucre]]. |
| − | It is a rare [[faned]] who dreams of a vast publishing empire and a [[fanzine]] that sustains itself financially. Few [[fanzines]] can depend on subscriptions to bring in enough money to pay for printing. Typically, [[faneds]] announce that copies are available for ''the usual'', that is, a [[letter of comment]], a fanzine in trade or a contribution of an article or artwork. | + | It is a rare [[faned]] who dreams of a vast [[publishing]] empire and a [[fanzine]] that sustains itself financially. Few [[fanzines]] can depend on [[subscriptions]] to bring in enough money to pay for printing. Typically, [[faneds]] announce that copies are available for ''the usual'', that is, a [[letter of comment]], a fanzine in [[trade]] or a contribution of an article or artwork. |
The way it's generally phrased in the [[colophon]] is along the lines of "This fanzine is available for $1 or the usual." (When asked as alternative to the usual, the cash typically amounts to just enough to cover printing and mailing of the issue. Consequently, [[fanzines]] available for the usual are not considered have been offered for sale and, in spite of money occasionally changing hands, are considered to be ''entirely'' [[amateur]] and ''entirely'' [[fannish]].) | The way it's generally phrased in the [[colophon]] is along the lines of "This fanzine is available for $1 or the usual." (When asked as alternative to the usual, the cash typically amounts to just enough to cover printing and mailing of the issue. Consequently, [[fanzines]] available for the usual are not considered have been offered for sale and, in spite of money occasionally changing hands, are considered to be ''entirely'' [[amateur]] and ''entirely'' [[fannish]].) | ||
| − | [[U.K.]] [[fan]] [[Derek Pickles]] and his brother-in-law, [[Stan Thomas]], were the first to | + | [[U.K.]] [[fan]] [[Derek Pickles]] and his brother-in-law, [[Stan Thomas]], were the first to spell out, in the June 1954 issue of ''[[Phantasmagoria]]'', the three ways of getting their [[fanzine]] without paying cash: |
| − | + | 1. No subscriptions are requested, if you send money we won't refuse it, but there is no sub rate. | |
| − | + | 2. You can make sure of receiving future issues, which will appear when we feel like it, by | |
a. Writing a letter of comment. | a. Writing a letter of comment. | ||
b. A contribution. | b. A contribution. | ||
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This formula quickly spread. It's unknown, however, who was the first to sum these up in the useful phrase ''the usual''. | This formula quickly spread. It's unknown, however, who was the first to sum these up in the useful phrase ''the usual''. | ||
| − | + | Source: ''[[Stet]] 9'' lexicon by [[Leah Zeldes Smith]] | |
{{fanspeak}} | {{fanspeak}} | ||
Latest revision as of 13:41, 4 October 2020
The usual is the means of exchange by which one acquires fanzines in lieu of sticky quarters or other forms of filthy lucre.
It is a rare faned who dreams of a vast publishing empire and a fanzine that sustains itself financially. Few fanzines can depend on subscriptions to bring in enough money to pay for printing. Typically, faneds announce that copies are available for the usual, that is, a letter of comment, a fanzine in trade or a contribution of an article or artwork.
The way it's generally phrased in the colophon is along the lines of "This fanzine is available for $1 or the usual." (When asked as alternative to the usual, the cash typically amounts to just enough to cover printing and mailing of the issue. Consequently, fanzines available for the usual are not considered have been offered for sale and, in spite of money occasionally changing hands, are considered to be entirely amateur and entirely fannish.)
U.K. fan Derek Pickles and his brother-in-law, Stan Thomas, were the first to spell out, in the June 1954 issue of Phantasmagoria, the three ways of getting their fanzine without paying cash:
1. No subscriptions are requested, if you send money we won't refuse it, but there is no sub rate. 2. You can make sure of receiving future issues, which will appear when we feel like it, by a. Writing a letter of comment. b. A contribution. c. Your magazines.
This formula quickly spread. It's unknown, however, who was the first to sum these up in the useful phrase the usual.
Source: Stet 9 lexicon by Leah Zeldes Smith
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